More hazard damage per building is expected in Tatamy than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tatamy gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2020.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Tatamy faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Tatamy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tatamy, and Tatamy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Tatamy’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $538K a year in losses across Tatamy: $476K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tatamy flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tatamy, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $38K
Tatamy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northampton County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Tatamy
Disasters that paid out in Tatamy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Tatamy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan7 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
Northampton County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Tatamy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tatamy archive →Tatamy and its neighbors
Tatamy is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Forks Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| Tatamy | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Stockertown | — | 775 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Tatamy faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tatamy
Is Tatamy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tatamy has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tatamy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Tatamy since 2020, $38K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isaias (1).
Is Tatamy in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Northampton County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tatamy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tatamy’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Tatamy?
By FEMA money that reached Tatamy, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 7 households applied for aid, $20K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isaias: 1 paid, $38K.
Is Tatamy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Tatamy’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tatamy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tatamy’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.